Building-tile



N0. 607,8!2. Patented July l9, I898.

E. E. VAN WI E.

BUILDING TILE.

(Applica-tion filed July 29, 1891) 4N0 Model.)

IXRWQM I Elmer E Van yak UNUSE -STATE FFICE.

PAT NT BUILDING-TILE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 607,812, dated July 19, 1898.

Application filed July 29, 1897.

be readily and conveniently interlocked with each other and used in building a wall or arch and for other purposes requiring a rigid structure adapted to withstand a considerable strain or pressure.

The invention contemplates a peculiar construction of the tile, permitting a wall of any length to be built by simply placing one upon the other and interlocking them with the adjoining tiles on each side.

To these ends and to such others as the invention may pertain the same consists in a tubular tile, either round or angular, one half of which is provided with longitudinal slots open at their outer ends, while the other half has a series of grooves on a line with said slots, whereby one tile can be interlocked with another of the same construction, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a view illustrating the application of my invention to the building of an arch or culvert. Fig. 2 is a view illustrating its application to the construction of a vertical wall. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective View of the tile. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view through the tile. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view.

In carrying out my invention I prefer to make the tile cylindrical, either by casting, rolling, forging, or otherwise, presenting a tube 1, in one end portion of which are cut a series of open-ended slots 2, extending inward to or slightly beyond the center of the tile, the number of slots depending upon the use to which the tile is to be applied. In

connection with these slots the other or unbroken part of the tube is formed with a cor- Serial 1%. 646,401. (No man.)

responding series of channels or grooves 3, extending on a line with the aforesaid slots and of a depth not to materially weaken the structure. The slots may be of a length equal to one-half the length of the tube, and in this event the meeting ends ofthe tiles which are on a line with each other will abut, though I prefer to extend the slots a short distance or'shorten them and have one end of the tile or tube tapered and the opposite end reamed out to receive the tapered end of the adjoining tile. This construction reinforces. the end of the tile which is provided with the slots, and will therefore provide a more rigid structure.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that v a wall, arch, or other structure requiring strength can be built from tiles constructed in accordance with my invention, requiring no extraneous substance to hold said tiles together, the interlocking parts serving to brace each other or practically form continuous hollow tubes. In forming columns the tiles at the center are slightly larger than those surrounding the same, and the slots and corresponding channels in the said central tiles are slightly wider. In forming an arch the curve of the arch will be determined by the location of the slots, those at the under side being closer together than the other pair.

. The tiles can be made up of metal, artificial stone,terra-cotta, glass, or other material according to the character of the structure to be built'therefrom, and it is obvious that the application of the tile is practically unlimited, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the particular uses herein set forth.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A tubular building-tile having openended slots exten dinga part only of the length thereof, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A building-tile, comprising a tube one end of which is provided with open-ended slots extending longitudinally to or near the center of the tube, the other part of the tube being grooved on a line with the slots,sub-

forth.

3. A building-tile, comprising a tube one In testimony whereof I have signed this part of which is provided with an open-ended specification in the presence of two snbscribslot and the other part having grooves or 1 ing Witnesses.

channels on a line with the aforesaid slots, ELMER ELLSWOR'PII VAN WIE. the said tube being tapered at one end and Witnesses: reamed out at the other, substantially as NORMAN L. BAKER,

shown and for the purpose set forth. ROBERT VERNE BAKER. 

